Game Review

Carlton defeated the Brisbane Bears in the 1995 Qualifying Final to earn a week’s break and move into the Preliminary Finals. The win was only 13 points, and earned largely off an impressive opening quarter. But the Bears would keep on coming, and in this tight game, would stay within a goal for most of it, but just not be good enough to snatch it from us.

The Bears were on a significant run at this point in time. Coaches Robert Walls and David Parkin had apparently had a discussion not 6 weeks before about each other’s tactics, not expecting the mid-ranked Bears to make it. But Brisbane had enjoyed a number of wins, leap-frogging Melbourne (among others) to snatch 8th. And now they were fighting to stay alive in the finals.

Their midfield combination of Craig Lambert and Michael Voss were well supported by the streaky Gilbert McAdam in kicking goals. Surprise packet Darryl White was kept goal-less by Stephen Silvagni, but warhorse Roger Merrett kicked 2.

For Carlton the story was all about Stephen Kernahan who would kick 5 goals 3, and have Champion and Chapman moved off him. Kouta’s 3 goals were most useful, with Kouta’s move forward a strategy used late in the season. Fraser Brown again had a good game against the Bears with 30 stats and a goal, whilst Craig Bradley too, racked up 20+ possessions.

Many Carlton supporters left the ground that day with doubts about whether we could go much further despite our 14 game winning streak. It appeared at the time that a hard fought win over the 8th side may not be good enough form to proceed into the Grand Final but history tells us Brisbane's form was as good as any team at the time.